Firearm safety device and method

ABSTRACT

The firearm safety device and method for locking of a firearm is useful for breech load and revolver type weapons. The case hardened shackle lock has a shackle for insertion through an open breech including a magazine well thereof or a revolver space to engage a top strap thereof. The shackle is then slidably inserted into a lock body to be retained by a lock mechanism. The legs of the shackle have a plurality of notches to engage the lock mechanism to accommodate a variety of forms and types of firearms. The insertion of the shackle in the firearm in this manner prevents the insertion of a magazine, inhibits the insertion of a cartridge in the chamber, prevents the closing of the breech bolt or the revolver cylinder, and prevents contact of the firing pin on the cartridge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to securing of a firearm to prevent use thereof and more specifically to safety devices that attach to the firearm in a manner to prevent loading or firing of the weapon. The new safety device incorporates a shackle type lock inserted through a weapon magazine, open breech or open cylinder space to inhibit placing a cartridge in the chamber, loading a magazine or cylinder or firing pin contact with a cartridge for a firearm.

[0002] Firearm safety is a major concern. Although most weapons are manufactured with stringent standards and built-in safety mechanisms, they are not designed to prevent unintentional, accidental or negligent discharge in the case of careless or unauthorized use.

[0003] There are numerous add on firearm safety devices currently in use. One of the more common methods to prevent use of a firearm is use of trigger lock or trigger block devices. These devices are designed to lock or block the trigger of a firearm. However, any possible movement of the trigger may cause a discharge. Additionally, if a cartridge is in the chamber the weapon may discharge for various reasons such as inertia firing, dropping of the weapon, a sharp blow to the trigger lock device, etc. Experience has shown that many of these devices can be defeated by use of common tools and instances where children have done this exists.

[0004] Other safety devices such as cable locks and lever straps are easily defeated by cutting. Barrel plugs or chamber inserts are specific to a specific model weapon, complex and expensive, and most are easily disabled.

[0005] Devices attached to firearms that inhibit loading a cartridge or closing a breech bolt are known in the art. Two examples are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,654,992, issued Apr. 7, 1987 and 5,419,069, issued May 30, 1995. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,992 patent discloses a device, which mounts to a shotgun trigger guard and includes a fingerplate inserted into the firearm open breech and locking by a tumbler lock device. This device prevents loading of a cartridge and closing of the breech bolt. However, its structure must be specifically designed for each weapon. Also the fingerplate is susceptible to tampering such as cutting or bending.

[0006] The U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,069 patent discloses a firearm locking mechanism, which is inserted into the open breech of the weapon. It depends on securing thereof to a magazine loaded in the weapon. A tumbler type lock secures loading of the firearm chamber, closing the breech bolt and firing pin contact with a cartridge. Again as discussed above the mechanism is specific for a particular model weapon. It is also susceptible to tampering due to the engagement with the loaded magazine.

[0007] As can be seen, there is a need for a simple, tamper resistant device and method to secure a wide variety of firearms to prevent use thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] One object of the present invention is improved securing of firearms to prevent unauthorized use or accidental firing of the weapon. Another object is accommodation of a variety of forms and types of firearms using a single form factor for securing or locking. A further object is a tamper resistant, economical and simple to use securing device. Yet another object is provision for attachment of other securing elements such as chains, cables and the like to the invention.

[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better, understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a front plan view of the firearm safety device.

[0011]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention locked to a pistol.

[0012]FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention for use with a revolver.

[0013]FIG. 4 illustrates the lock attached to the top strap of a revolver.

[0014]FIG. 5 illustrates a vinyl sleeve for the shackle element of the lock.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] The following detailed description is the best currently contemplated modes for carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.

[0016] A case hardened shackle lock with a shackle lockable with a lock body is adjustable in length to accommodate a wide variety of forms and types of firearms. One leg of the shackle is inserted through a firearm magazine well and open breech or a revolver cylinder space and then the shackle is slidably engaged with the lock mechanism. This inhibits the insertion of cartridges in a weapon, the closing of the breech bolt of a weapon, and the impact of the firing pin on a cartridge.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 the firearm safety device or lock 10 is illustrated as a shackle type lock with a combination activated lock mechanism 12. The shackle 14 is of generally U shaped form although other shapes of the attachment end 16, such as, circular, rectangular and the like could be used for particular firearms as needed. The shackle 14 with bridge 24 has notches 20 in legs 18 which engage the locking mechanism 12 when the legs 18 are slideably inserted into the lock body 22. The notches 20 engage a locking pin mechanism in the lock body 22 as is commonly understood for shackle type slide locks. The removal of the shackle 14 from the lock body 22 is controlled by the combination mechanism of the lock mechanism 12.

[0018] For securing a firearm 30 that has a magazine well 32 and a breech 34, one leg 18 of the shackle 14 is inserted through the open breech 34 and magazine well 32. The lock body 22 is then slidably engaged with the shackle 14 as illustrated in FIG. 2 with a semi-automatic pistol 30. With the shackle 14 secure in the pistol 30 a magazine cannot be loaded into the magazine well 32, insertion of a cartridge in the chamber is inhibited, the breech bolt cannot be closed, and the firing pin cannot contact a cartridge in the chamber.

[0019] While a semi-automatic pistol has been used for illustrative purposes it can be appreciated that the lock 10 may be used for any firearm with magazine and/or breech as for example semi-automatic rifles, machine guns, assault pistols and rifles, carbines, lever action rifles, pump shotguns and the like. In addition the lock 10 may be used to secure a revolver having an opening cylinder configuration. The lock 10 of FIG. 1 has shackle 14 inserted around the top strap of the revolver when the cylinder is open. The cylinder may not be closed and locked due to the diameter of the shackle 14.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 an alternate embodiment of the lock 10 is illustrated with a strap shackle 26. The strap shackle 26 is generally U shape with a flat attachment end 16 which has a strap notch 28 in the bridge 24. The legs 18 are engaged in the lock mechanism 12 of the lock body 22. This embodiment is more compact than the lock 10 with shackle 14 for use with a revolver 40 as can be seen the strap shackle 26 engages the revolver with the top strap 44 fitting into strap notch 28 when the cylinder 42 is open. The strap notch 28 inhibits the lateral movement of the lock 10 relative to the top strap 44. The shape and size of the strap shackle 26 prevents closing and locking the cylinder 42 in place.

[0021] The instant invention with elements selected to meet standards of various firearm security laws is a simple, economical solution. As an example, for one of the new current laws for firearm safety a lock 10 with a case hardened shackle 14 and a four digit automatic scrambling combination lock mechanism 12 would be designed to meet the testing requirements of the law. Such a lock is designed to meet testing methodologies of mechanical forcing attacks such as prying with a lever device typically a screwdriver; mechanical shock such as by use of a hammer and screwdriver inserted in the keyway; mechanical torque typically using vice grips; cutting shear; key plug pulling or torque; as well as other common attack methods.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 5, a protective covering or sleeve 50 is illustrated for enclosing the portion of the shackle 14, which is inserted into the firearm. The sleeve 50 is shaped to cover the attachment end 16 of the shackle 14 to protect the firearm from scraping or other damage due to use of the lock 10. Other forms of protective covering such as a vinyl coating on the shackle 14 may also be used.

[0023] While not illustrated, the lock 10 may be used with other securing devices as for example an anchoring element attached to a stationary mounting. The anchoring element may be in the form of a chain, cable, strap or the like. A ring of the anchor element can be slidably engaged with the shackle 14 to prevent removal of the lock 10 and firearm 30 or revolver 40 from a fixed location.

[0024] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to the illustrated and preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A device for securing a firearm comprising: a lock having a shackle for slidable engagement with a lock body; the shackle having a bridge and a plurality of legs attached thereto; and the legs having a plurality of notches formed therein positioned to engage a locking mechanism in the lock body when the legs are slidably inserted in the lock body.
 2. The device as in claim 1 wherein the shackle is generally a U shape form with two legs.
 3. The device as in claim 1 wherein the shackle is generally a U shape form with a flattened bridge element having a strap notch formed therein.
 4. The device as in claim 1 wherein the shackle at an attachment end is generally an oblong shape form with a pair of legs.
 5. The device as in claim 1 wherein the shackle at an attachment end is generally a rectangular shape form with a pair of legs.
 6. The device as in claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism is actuated by a combination type locking element.
 7. The device as in claim 1 wherein a protective covering is placed on the shackle.
 8. The device as in claim 7 wherein the protective covering is a sleeve.
 9. The device as in claim 1 wherein the shackle is comprised of a case hardened steel.
 10. A device for securing a firearm comprising: a lock having a shackle for slidable engagement with a lock body; the shackle of generally U shape having a bridge and a pair of legs attached thereto; and each leg having a notch formed therein positioned to engage a combination type locking mechanism in the lock body when the legs are slidably inserted in the lock body.
 11. A device for securing a firearm comprising: a lock having a shackle for slidable engagement with a lock body; the shackle having a bridge with a strap notch formed therein and a pair of legs attached thereto; and the legs having a plurality of notches formed therein positioned to engage a locking mechanism in the lock body when the legs are slidably inserted in the lock body.
 12. A method for securing a firearm, comprising the steps of: inserting a shackle through the breech and magazine well of the firearm; slidably inserting a pair of legs of the shackle into a lock body; and locking the legs with a locking mechanism in the lock body.
 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of: inserting the shackle through a ring of an anchoring element prior to engagement with the lock body.
 14. A method for securing a firearm comprising the steps of: inserting a shackle through the cylinder space of a revolver firearm such that the shackle is around a top strap thereof; slidably inserting a pair of legs of the shackle into a lock body; and locking the legs with a locking mechanism in the lock body.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of: inserting the shackle through a ring of an anchoring element prior to engagement with the lock body. 